Tensions boil over in tonight’s main event, as David Von Erich finally gets his hands on “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin in a bout for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship! Plus, the Von Erichs and Freebirds feud continues when Kevin takes on Michael Hayes in a singles match. Including Kamala in action, “Gentleman” Chris Adams, and more!
WCCW TV*
Date: 06/04/1983
From: Dallas, Texas
MATCHES
1. “Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. Bill Rathke
2. Kamala vs. Johnny Rich
3. Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes
4. David Von Erich vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin
*BROADCAST NOTE
This playback copy has been presented in the most complete form possible, due to original production technical difficulties. Reported on Peacock as of 11/05/2025.
BREAKDOWN & REVIEW
- Audio issues were prevalent as soon as our opening package began. Bill Mercer welcomed us from the commentary booth as we got a wide shot of The Sportatorium. It definitely seemed as though we were going to have some major tape issues tonight, as even the screen was flickering.
- “Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. Bill Rathke: Our opening contest was set for one fall to a finish with a fifteen minute time limit. Again, big cheers for Adams here. I also feel like the house lights were on more so than normal. In the ring, we started off with some stalemates, with Adams coming up worse off with the bigger man here. A toe hold, into a step over toe hold had Adams on the defensive. This wouldn’t last, as Adams began his own work on Rathke’s knee. Adams continued working over the lower half of Rathke, followed by a scoop slam and a running knee drop. A small package put Rathke away for a quick three count.
- Nothing overly special here, with Adams being the better technician by far and away. He is definitely gaining a lot of momentum with the crowd in a relatively short amount of time, so it’ll be interesting to see who Adams is paired with for his first, real angle in the territory. One star.
- Kamala vs. Johnny Rich: One fall to a finish and another fifteen minute given to this next bout here. Bill Mercer mentioned on commentary that Kamala would be taking on three men at the Star Wars coming up later this month. Friday and Skandor Akbar helped prep Kamala in the corner, the usual situation of entrance gear removal. Rich ducked a few attempts of attack, until Kamala got a few clubs to Rich’s head in. Then, it was Kamala in the familiar driver’s seat. Chops, chokes, and throat thrusts all found their mark on Rich. Then, two running splashes to Rich’s back put him away in a hurry.
- I fear they might be painting themselves in a corner with Kamala here. I mean, how does a guy like this lose and who does he lose to? And after he loses, will anybody care? As much as I want to ride this wave with Kamala, I’m not sure how it is going to come off in the end. Nonetheless, this was another impressive victory, but with it going a mere minute, it only gets half a star from me.
- Back from commercial, Bill Mercer and David Von Erich were standing along a fenceline for tonight’s featurette on sprawling horse ranch. Dave said he was setting his dreams higher than what you see here and first, his sights were set on the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. Bill Mercer asked to join David on horseback for a bit and we cut to Dave and Bill riding along in a field. Dave and Bill stopped to talk a bit about Jimmy Garvin, saying that it was only a matter of time before a Texas boy was again holding the Texas Championship. Another cut saw Bill and Dave continuing their ride, with Dave saying that after the Texas title, it was only a matter of time before he met Ric Flair for the NWA World’s title. Bill agreed and said that out here was probably as good a place as any to think and relax. The two road off as a country tune was played.
- This one was bittersweet. In a way, we got a look at a David Von Erich of the future. Dave was calm, cool, and confident here. He spoke and carried himself like a matured talent, world-worthy, and ready for the next phase of his career. It was a little eerie, too. Almost like a way to say enjoy this ride, as we may be in the thick of it now, but it isn’t going to last forever.
- Kerry Von Erich vs. Michael Hayes: Our next bout of the evening was set for one fall, thirty minutes. Bill Mercer announced on commentary that Kerry Von Erich would have a mystery partner join him against Hayes and Gordy for the WCCW American Tag Team Championship in Reunion Arena for Star Wars! Michael Hayes strutted around the ring and Kerry Von Erich mocked him by doing the same. A set of arm drags sent Hayes bailing to the floor as the crowd erupted in a frenzy of boos. Back in the ring, Kerry bounced Hayes from corner to corner, with the crowd chanting “Go home, Freebirds!” in unison. Kerry then hit a knee drop for a near fall. A shoulder block and flying crossbody sent Hayes again bailing to the floor to buy some time. Mercer mentioned a hair match between Buddy Roberts and “Iceman” King Parsons coming up in Reunion Arena for Star Wars, as well. Meanwhile, a clothesline and fist drop kept Kerry down for a count of two. Kerry rallied back with some strikes, a scoop slam, and an elbow drop off the top rope for another near fall! Out of desperation, Hayes focused in on taking apart a knee of Kerry, but his momentum was cut off with a back body drop. In a flurry, Kerry was sent through the second ropes hard out onto the floor. Hayes attempted to bring Kerry in the hard way with a suplex, but Kerry shifted his weight and landed on top of Hayes for a three count! After the math, Terry Gordy came down to the ring to get in some cheap punches, only to be chased off by Kevin Von Erich.
- This could’ve easily been saved for a main event, as these guys had a really great match together. It was refreshing for both Kerry and Michael Hayes to get a solid moment to shine in singles competition and BOTH did. Solid match with a slightly lackluster ending. Two and a half stars from me. With some added time and a more dramatic finish, this could’ve been a real hidden gem.
- After the match, Bill Mercer caught up with Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy at ringside for an interview. Hayes said Kerry couldn’t find anybody that had the guts to tag with him. Not his daddy, not his brothers. Terry Gordy said that the battle was over, because all the mystery gaga was just that, he’s got nobody to back him and he’s just buying time!
- Not that I know for sure, but the way they’re really hyping up this mystery partner, I have a gut feeling it is going to be Bruiser Brody. If so, it’ll mark Brody’s first appearance for Dallas since our watchthrough. To say Brody is one of the reasons I wanted to start watching World Class would be an understatement, so I really hope I’m not setting myself up for disappointment here! Only time will tell…
- David Von Erich vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin: Our main event was set for one fall to a finish with a sixty minute time limit, for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. The crowd was super hot for this one, as Garvin got in David’s face as the introductions were taking place. Things started off lightning fast, as each man attempted to one-up the other. Dave worked a hammer lock and drove a knee down into Garvin’s shoulder. A nice standing side headlock followed through with a well-placed punch sent Garvin staggering into the corner. Dave’s momentum began to build as he had Garvin in a kneebar-type submission. Von Erich drove a few knees down into Garvin’s as the crowd cheered him on. Several brutal-looking kneedrops had David in some trouble, with momentum starting to swing back in Garvin’s favor. Garvin was able to block an Iron Claw attempt at this point, with both men becoming pretty worn down. Garvin begged off into one corner, as David kept the fight coming with a back body drop and big standing knee drop for another near fall. Garvin then found himself locked in the ropes as Dave teed off, followed by a running high knee that dropped Garvin. Sunshine helped Garvin get his foot on the bottom rope during a pin attempt and as the bell rang, Sunshine got into the ring to distrace David long enough for Garvin to jump him from behind. Instead, Dave got a Claw on Garvin, but was sent up and over the top rope to the floor! The call was a double disqualification as Sunshine and Garvin exited through the crowd and no winner of the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship was announced.
- This was the best match of the year thus far. The drama, crowd excitement level, pacing, and hard-hitting action of the match made for a fun watch. The finish wasn’t the best, but everything prior was more than solid. I could tell I was watching this year’s best match thus far before the finish ever came. Everybody wants to talk about the Von Erichs versus The Freebirds in 1983, but for my money, this year’s best feud has been Jimmy Garvin versus David Von Erich. Three and a half stars from me here and it would’ve ranked higher with a better finish, easily.
- After commercial, “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine joined Bill Mercer in the commentary booth for a quick closing interview. Garvin said that the whole state of Texas and the rest of the wrestling world was against Garvin. It is a conspiracy! Garvin said he had plans to go to Reunion Arena as the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship and was sick of the referees, officials, and David Von Erich trying to rain on his parade. David Von Erich is a pain in his side and he plans to alleviate that pain very, very soon!
- I liked this fired up version of Jimmy Garvin on the mic, very different than we usually hear from him as he plays mister calm, cool, and collected. The more this rivalry heats up, the more I like it.
- Bill Mercer continued to close out the show as Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine exited the booth. He announced that, next week, we’d be getting an eight-man elimination tag team match main event! This match would feature the Von Erichs & “Iceman” King Parsons against The Fabulous Freebirds & “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin!
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was the best week of action we’ve seen from World Class in 1983 thus far. Michael Hayes and Kerry Von Erich had what could’ve been an awesome main event match on any card, then David Von Erich and Jimmy Garvin tore the house down in a championship main event! Mix that in with a memorable featurette and a nice promo from Garvin and you have yourself a recipe for a great episode of World Class Championship Wrestling television. I, for one, can’t wait for the Reunion Arena show in a few weeks. June’s Summer / International Star Wars event is shaping up to be maybe the best super card show we’ve watched yet. Until then, here’s to next week!
See you all then!